The game featured two of the top three scorers in the area, Stefano Okoro of Gloucester and Rashaan Holloway of Schalick, and neither disappointed. Holloway finished with 19 points and nine rebounds and Okoro had a game-high 27 — bringing his career total to 1,972.

But it was another Cougar that stole the show. Melvin Allen finished with 24 points and seven rebounds, but it was how he scored that made the difference.

He was able to drive in the lane whenever he wanted, finding open shots. He was also able to come off screens and hit the open jumper.

“It was a big challenge for me, guarding Stefano,” Allen said. “They say he’s the best player in South Jersey, I wanted to show them different.”

The Cougars used multiple mini runs in the first half to build up a lead, but the Lions came out for the third on fire. Okoro led the way with 10 points in the frame and the Lions used a 7-0 and a 6-0 run to close the gap and head to the fourth quarter trailing by four.

After their lead was cut to two, the Cougars opened the game up again with a big 8-0 run. The Lions wenton another run, but once again the Cougars responded with a run of their own.

“We knew coming in they were a great team, well coached,” said Lions head coach Kevin Hagan. “Every time we fought back, they answered and that’s what good teams do. I’m proud of our guys, they battled, but we were outmatched.

“A lot of credit to them. They didn’t falter when we came back at them, they just had their own answer.”

Sophomore Shamirr Kennedy did not have a big stat line for the Cougars, but he played a major role in the win — having to defend Justin Smith.

“I told Shamirr to face guard him and see what happens,” Cassidy said. “Justin hit a couple of 3s in transition, but they were contested and that’s what we want. He’s getting better every game and he’s like a spark plug. The kid’s call him “Mighty Mouse” because he’s fast.”

Smith drilled five 3s in the game and finished with 16 points, but for the most part he was taken out of the offense by Kennedy.

Most good teams have good role players around their stars, and that is exactly what Kennedy provides for the Cougars.

“We don’t need scorers, we have scorers,” said Cassidy. “He (says), I want 10 assists a game, I want the assists record. I told him, the only points you should have is at the end of the game shooting free throws. And he understands that role and plays good defense. He gives me everything he has and he does a good job.”

And that is exactly what Kennedy did, scoring two points in the game on a pair of free throws late in the fourth quarter.